Amazon MGM Studios has recently released a new film titled “Challengers” starring Zendaya and directed by Luca Guadagnino. The movie made $1.9M in previews, falling short by $100K compared to Universal’s “Cocaine Bear”. “Challengers” aims to achieve an opening weekend box office collection of $15M. The film received critical acclaim with a 91% certified fresh rating, but last night’s audience feedback was mixed, garnering three stars on Screen Engine/Comscore’s PostTrak with 75% positivity and a 56% definite recommendation.
Demographic Breakdown
According to the data, women over 25 accounted for 35% of the audience, followed by women under 25 at 25%. Surprisingly, men over 25, particularly Zendaya’s fans, seemed to enjoy the movie the most, giving it an 80% approval rating. The 25-34 age group and the 45-54 demographic showed the highest satisfaction levels with 80% and 82% ratings respectively. It’s interesting to note that the film’s release was delayed due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, but the global popularity of Zendaya, with a massive following of 184M on Instagram, has helped generate buzz and anticipation for the film.
Unsung Hero
Another noteworthy release is Lionsgate and Kingdom Story’s “Unsung Hero”, which made $1.67M in previews. The faith-based film grossed $470K on its opening day, and despite receiving lesser attention than “Challengers”, it has managed to create a positive impact among viewers. The movie follows the journey of David Smallbone, an Australian immigrant who relocates to the U.S. with his family and achieves success as a Grammy Award-winning artist. “Unsung Hero” garnered impressive ratings on PostTrak exits, with five stars, 96% positivity, and an 86% definite recommendation. The audience makeup for this film skewed towards females (66%) and individuals over 55 (48%).
The success of Amazon MGM Studios’ latest releases, “Challengers” and “Unsung Hero”, reflects a diverse range of storytelling and genres that cater to different audience preferences. Despite facing delays and challenges, both films have managed to resonate with viewers and generate positive word-of-mouth, setting the stage for a successful box office run. As the film industry continues to evolve, the ability to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impact remains paramount, and these latest releases have certainly made a mark in the competitive landscape of modern cinema.